The Amalgamation of Ideas
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The time was 2048. The place was the Empire State Building in New York City, New York. The situation came about after a ten year period of anarchy in the United States of America. For in 2038, the country elected an anarchist to power, the first in history, and this nation fell to absolute chaos. As the elevator in the Tower slowly drops from floor 98, a large, bold, brown-haired white man enters the elevator. A petite young black woman follows. They press the floor one button, and the elevator proceeds. At floor 95, it stops again for a tall, thin white man to enter. At floor 90, a small, gray-haired white man enters. As the elevator continues to move, power goes out throughout the city of New York. Seeing that anarchy has been in power, this is not an uncommon occurrence. The only uncommon part about it is who is actually in the elevator. The large, bold man is named David. He is a Communist in a time period where few Communists exist. The black woman, Betty, is an active Democrat. The tall, thin white man, George, is a staunch Republican. And, the small, older, gray-haired individual is Don, a steadfast Libertarian. Who could have imagined this amalgamation of ideas locked in a single compartment? It is now up to them, four of the leading politicians in their respective parties, to rescue themselves from this compartment in order to restore their own lives (except for Betty, who only cares about the poor, needy, and disadvantaged) and the lives of society (except for Don, who only cares about his own well-being). Betty panics. “Now what are we going to do guys?” she asks. David speaks up, “You listen to me and you’ll be fine.” “I refuse to listen to a Communist,” retorts George. “As do I,” answers Don. David responds, “It doesn’t look like you have much of a choice, does it? I mean, we are trapped in this hellhole for who knows how long!” “I always have a choice,” answers Don. “And no one can take my choices away from me. Choice is what life is all about.” “Balderdash,” answers George. “If you really want choice, then just make lots of money, and then you will be of the elite class, like myself. We have more power than any of your political parties combined, and we’re proud of it!” “Your party lost all of its integrity when it restored religion to public schools,” says Betty. “Abolish public schools,” retorts Don. “Abolish religion,” David states in his comeback. “Spread Christianity,” retorts George. “So far as I can see, one-half of the people in this elevator are going to hell.” “What gives you the power to judge me? Only the Creator can judge me, sir,” replies Don smoothly. “What creator is that?” questions David. “Nevermind,” answers Don with a grin on his face. George cringes in sickness. “Well, it doesn’t look like we are going to get out of here anytime soon,” Betty finally concludes. “On that we can agree,” David says as the others shake their heads in agreement. They all sit down on the solid ground. After silence for about five minutes, Betty speaks up. “I want to discuss something. It is not like me at all to be quiet. Obviously we are each well-known political figures. I am sure that there is something that we can agree on.” Betty says this, not to spark conversation, but to try to convert the others to her belief system. She has been involved in politics for all her life, and if anyone can convert them, it is she. “Okay, let’s first discuss education,” says Betty. “I think we should expand the Department of Education,” David answers. “Abolish the Department of Education,” retorts Don. “First, it is unconstitutional, second, it wastes taxpayer money, and third, it is not the Government’s place to educate our children.” “Hah! Society needs to be educated. What do you propose, Don?” asks David. “Schools and states should be separate, compulsory education should not be a part of society, the Department of Education needs to go, and alternative learning tools should be used to educate our children,” replies Don. “That would never work! What needs to happen is the government needs to come back into power like it was in Communist Russia. Then everyone will get their education’s and everyone will have a set place in society,” David answers. “At least I can agree with Don on one thing: alternative education should be available,” George says. “All schools should be public,” Betty replies. “Most Americans do not have the money to afford private or charter schools,” Betty answers. It becomes clear to the group that they will never agree on the issues surrounding education. So Betty brings up the issue of guns. “Go NRA!” shouts George. “The NRA doesn't allow children to use guns,” replies Don. "I support Gun Owners of America." “The NRA is corrupt,” David answers. “If anyone should have guns, it should only be government officials.” “Strict licensing needs to take place, trigger locks should be instituted, and then we would not have school shootings like we always do,” answers Betty. “Actually, if school was not mandatory, then we wouldn’t have school shootings,” retorts Don. “Oh, get off your high horse,” answers David. “Don’t tell me what to do,” replies Don. “Stop bickering you two,” George shouts loudly. Betty brings up Social Security. Surely everyone can agree on how to help Social Security. “We should invest our budget surplus into Social Security,” Betty says. "What budget surplus is that?" Don replies. “I don’t agree. We should raise taxes,” David retorts. “No, we should lower them,” replies George. “What the hell, let’s just abolish Social Security once and for all. Stop sucking your socialistic opium pipes and get back to reality,” Don answers. “What would we do without Social Security?” Betty asks in a panic. “We would continue living, like we have lived for hundreds of years prior to the Ponzi Social Security scheme,” replies Don. “Don, your ideas are so idealistic,” George criges. “Thank you for your opinion, Georgie,” replies Don. “Who can support people who want to legalize drugs anyways?” Betty asks. “I mean, libertarians are such exotic creatures.” Don nods his head. He has heard it all before. The situation in the elevator is finally resolved and power is restored. The elevator trickles down the first floor, and the four depart in opposite directions. David, George, and Betty all stay in touch, respecting each others platforms on issues. That night, Don dreamt about the events that occurred that day. He thinks about how difficult it is to stand up for something in a society where everyone is opposed to your positions. He dreamt that night about Frederic Bastiat, “the man alone” in France in the Eighteenth century who advocated laissez-faire economics in a society filled with socialism. He dreamt about other freedom-fighters, as well: Thomas Jefferson, Adam Smith, John Locke, Thomas Paine, Frederick Hayek, Ayn Rand, Jacob Hornberger, Harry Browne, and the such. When he awoke, he felt confident knowing that even if others disagree with him, he still advocates freedom, equality, tolerance, and liberty. |
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Short Stories |